Name, Department, Home country and city, Duration
基本情報（氏名、所属、出身国・都市、在籍期間）

My name is OH YUNJAE, and I am from Seoul, Korea. After graduating from Musashino Art University’s Department of Imaging Arts and Sciences, I came to Tokyo University of the Arts, or Geidai, to study animation at the Graduate School of Film and New Media. I am currently a second-year master’s student, working on my final project before graduation in March 2017.

When I was in my fourth year of college, I was thinking of going on to study animation and was researching schools. It was by coincidence that I found the animation program at Geidai. After learning about the extensive curriculum that allows students to not only create animation works but also explore the history of animation, I made my decision to apply for the program.

What did you do to prepare yourself for studying abroad in Japan?
留学前に準備したこと

I started learning the Japanese language as a child, owing to my father who frequently traveled to Japan for business, and I had a goal to pass the Japanese Language Proficiency Test. Once I decided to apply to a Japanese university, I obtained a series of entrance examination questions from the past and practiced with them. I realized that the language I was learning from books was different from the language spoken locally, so I started practicing my Japanese with a Japanese student whom I met through a pen pal site on the internet.

What do you study at Geidai?
藝大で学んでいること

At Geidai, I am studying techniques and approaches to ideas, as well as the history of animation. I am also learning a lot from my classmates, who have different styles of creation. Furthermore, I am honing my communication skills through collaborations with students in the Department of Musical Creativity and the Environment.

What do you like about Geidai?
藝大に来てよかったこと

In 2015 and 2016, I participated in a collaboration project among Japanese, Korean, and Chinese universities where students of the three countries teamed up to create animation. I realized that we all shared passion for animation, although we were from different countries and spoke different languages. In addition to being a production member, I was also involved in the project as an interpreter. I am glad that I had the opportunity to help connect these countries through playing my roles both in the animation work and communications.

What are the things that impressed you or surprised you in Japan?
日本に来て印象に残っていること・意外だったこと

日本の接客サービスが一番印象に残っています。「おもてなし」は人の気持ちを温かくしてくれる力があると思います。

I have been most impressed by the culture of customer service. I think that “omotenashi,” which is the Japanese term for hospitality, has the power to warm up people’s hearts.

What are your future goals?
将来の目標

続けて作品を作っていきたいです。そして作品を通して世界の人たちと交流したいです。

I hope to continue creating animation works and communicate with people around the world through my works.

Please write a message for students wishing to study in Japan.
日本への留学を考えている学生へのメッセージ

There is no doubt you will encounter a mountain of obstacles, be it a language barrier or cultural differences, but you will grow by overcoming such challenges. I see every day in Japan as a little journey. Through the journey, you will make friends, from whom you receive words of encouragement, and one day, you will find yourself shinning. Don’t be afraid to take the first step!